Windows for 286

Hello:
Re: Windows 286. If you are looking for something to drive a
Win/286-specific application, I can't help you, but if you want a
multitasking GUI for an old '286, then this can help:
Try GeoWorks Ensemble. It is a preemptively multitasking, multithreaded,
object-oriented graphical operating system for the PC compatible. In
order to run _well_, it only needs a '286 with 2 Mb RAM (I have a 286/12,
3 Mb RAM, 20 Mb HDD). It allows long (32 character) filenames with
annotations, and has a convenient point and click interface. Moving
files is just click-and-drag (rather like the Mac).
The full applications suite includes a word processor (about 90% of the
features of W4W, but in about 1/50 the disk space), spreadsheet (pretty
basic), text editor, flat file database, comm program, scheduler/calendar,
banner maker, screen saver, draw program (also imports graphics, but only
works to 16-colors), rolodex/addressbook. There are two games (tetris and
solitaire).
This is a FAST system. It is especially good on limited hardware
resources like mine. It needs a bit of tinkering so it doesn't crash out
(setting files = and buffers = to appropriate levels is a big help).
Individual apps can crash and burn, and you still can use the other apps.
See newsgroup comp.os.geos for more info, esp the FAQ.
A shareware demo, with all features,but only the word processor and text
editor applications, can be had by anon FTP:
from a .sig:
Try Geopublish, the shareware version of Geoworks Ensemble! Positively
SCREAMS, while providing a full GUI interface. Includes a desktop
publisher. ftp://130.219.44.141/pub/geos/publish
This is the same os that is used in the Tandy Z-PDA and Casio handheld
pen-based computers. Geos has a patented generic user interface that can
be mapped to a specific user interface, so an app that runs on the
handheld can theoretically also run on the desktop. It is a handy
feature. IBM actually has a Presentation Manager interface for GEOS
called SchoolView.
Geos will not run Windows applications.
Geos will not run DOS sessions in a multitasked window
Geos is made by a company smaller than the janitorial staff for Microsoft
(i.e. they don't have the resources to properly market the desktop os,
nor can they make a new driver every week)
On the other hand, Geos will give you many of the buzzwords of Win95 in a
small cheap package (purchase direct from GeoWorks for about $80 US).
Try it out. These days, 10+ MB of hard drive space is nothing, so what
do you have to lose?
Daniel Kim